Items reviewed and discussed at the training:

• Develop realistic crisis communications plans
• Growing impact of social media and understanding; engaging, utilizing and monitoring social media before and during a crisis (Website, Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor)
• Social media rules of engagement
• Develop strategy and messaging for customers, employees, media and other critical stakeholders (“stay in your lane”)
• The evolving “timeline” of a crisis
• Managing media inquiries and interviews effectively and confidently
• Minimize negative reactions from customers and other stakeholders
• Communicating with employees and your Board

Emergency Response for Water Utilities

The Incident Command System

 Objectives:

• Applying best management practices of the Incident Command System (ICS) during multiple or protracted field events.
• Operationally, examples of the following were utilized: repairs by agency personnel and by contractors, evacuation and traffic control, in­-field public notification, working with other first-responders, and the use of mutual assistance.
• Understanding the roles of Management, Planning, Logistics, and Finance specific to the water sector when utilizing the ICS.
• Focusing on “real-life” situations and learning from one another’s experiences.
• Debrief from lessons learned and better application for future events.

This course consists of an introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). By the end of this course participants will have completed the IS 100, IS 200, SEMS and NIMS (IS 700).

 Objectives: 

• Provide an overview and comparison of ICS, SEMS, and NIMS
• Identify the benefits of using these systems for incident and emergency management
• Identify the organizational principles of these systems
• Be prepared to respond in the event of an emergency or disaster